PHOTO RELEASE: Harder Hosts Education Roundtable, Joins Stockton Ports’ Reading Challenge
Local education leaders joined Harder in roundtable on improving literacy in the Valley
Harder also read to local students as part of the Stockton Ports’ “Baseball by the Books” reading challenge
STOCKTON – Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) joined educators, parents, and students in a roundtable discussion at the Stockton Ports’ Banner Island Ball Park to discuss local and federal efforts to improve literacy in the Valley. After the roundtable, Harder participated in the Ports’ “Baseball by the Books” literacy challenge, reading “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” to dozens of local students. Harder also threw out the first pitch at the Ports’ game against the Visalia Rawhide.
“Like every parent, I want our kids to have the resources and support they need to succeed in and outside of the classroom,” said Rep. Harder. “We have a lot of work to do to solve our nationwide literacy crisis, and roundtables like these are critical to building momentum for solutions that actually work for students, teachers, and parents. I’m grateful for everyone who came out to show their support, and I’m committed to making sure Washington takes this issue seriously.”
In response to the growing literacy crisis across the country, Harder is leading efforts to restore the National Reading Panel, which established a roadmap in educational excellence in 2000 but has not seen enough state-level adoption. Harder is also pushing to increase investments in comprehensive state literacy grants that prioritize literacy improvements, and to reform federal programs that help improve educational research.
Harder was joined by representatives from the San Joaquin County Office of Education, local Valley school districts, local and national education advocates, and educators associations.
Above: Harder hosts roundtable discussion on addressing the nationwide literacy crisis
Above: Harder throws out the first pitch at the Ports’ game against the Visalia Rawhide
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